The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-28

of greater moment than is supposed. The
church was formerly in the Presbytery, but
| prior to the advent Of DR.. Arson, the
preachers which the Presbytery sent here,
were so unsatisfactory that the church
withdrew from the Presbytery and became
independent. Since then it has been sub
ject to the control of no religious body. 1t
called DR.. Arson and he has been in charge
for over thirty years, during which
time the Indepenaent Presbyterian
| church has had supreme control OF itself in
all matters, spiritual, doctrinal, temporal
and otherwise When it was determined to
give DIR. Arson an assistant there was some
difficulty in obtaining one. Nopreacher of the
Presbyterian church would accept the posi-
ton, because the Presbytery would not per
NIT him to do SO. A preacher had to be
found who belonged to no church, and DIR.
Bacon was the man. The fact that he was
not subject to the dictates of any church,
while it kept him out of many pulpits, made
him suitable man in that regard, for this
one and the same fact operated to what
was then deemed the advantage of the In
dependent Presbyterian church, for it was
| thereby enabled to procure an assistant
pastor.
NOT GENERALLY WANTED.
DR.. Bacon has remained but year, how
ever, and passed away, and now the old
terrain preacher can take the pulpit, for the
Presbytery will not let him. The proba-
bility of finding another preacher who, like
DR.. Bacon, Is not attached to any church is
slight, and it is SO rarely the case that such
preachers are acceptable men that, even if
one is found, he might not be wanted A
movement has, therefore, been started by
quite number OF the members to take the
church back into the Presbytery, thus
removing the obstacles by procuring reg
ular Presbyterian preacher.
The possibility of having to endure the
experience of thirty-five years ago causes
some opposition to this movement, but the
improbability of securing a satisfactory
pastor by any other means is SO great that
the committee of five which was appointed
to confer with the trustees as to securing a
pastor may, instead of looking for man,
make a report in favor of returning to the
Presbytery and procuring preacher from
it.
THE DOCTORS FAREWELL.
DIR. Bacons last sermon was preached last
night He took his text from the Epistle of
st. James ", 16:
Confess your faults one to another, and pray
one for another, that we may be healed. The
fervent prayer Of a righteous man availeth
much.
That was the last of his series of sermons
on prayer, but before beginning it he said:
sit had been my purpose to bring my years
ministry to close without word of refer
ence to it-without even a word of goodbye.
Such words, no matter how carefully ex-
pressed, do not always do good. In depart
ing from my purpose must say that you
have compelled me to do it. l must ac-
| knowledge my gratitude for the many words
of kindness from my friends for my minis
try in comforting Borrowing hearts. | must
return my thanks for the beautiful gift
which received as a token of friendship
from many of the kind and noble ladies of
the church. This is my only opportunity
for doing so, as there are but few days left
me here, and they will be crowded with
business Few men have made better friends
than have in Savannah, and while the
recollection of Savannah must always
bring to me unpleasant memories the friends
have here will be always dear to me-"
The gift to which DIR. Bacon referred was
beautiful gold watch given him by some
of his lady friends Upon the inside of the
case was inscribed: 'Phillipians j., 3.
thank my God upon every remembrance of
you"
On Tuesday DIR. Bacon will leave Savan-
nah for Norwich, Conn.